Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



July 9, 1929. s. B. HASELTINE FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Sept. l2, 1924 l l 4 f fg 153 if J4 /7 E55 /15 July 9, 1929. 5, B, HASELTINE 1,720,124

FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM original Filed sept. 12, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 ffl JL" i El f" I l e im H\ /l `//7 I' l i h B m2255565 5mg/534572222314 CAS Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcs.

.STACY B. HASELTINE. `OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 H. MINER, INC., A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE.

FRICTION SHOCK-,ABSORBING MECHANISM.

Application filed September 12, 1924, Serial N'o. 737,351.

This invention relates 'to improvements in friction shock absorbing mechanisms. n

One object of the invention is lto `provlde'a friction shock absorbing mechanism, more particularly adapted for railway draft riggings, ywherein is obtained high capacity vdue to 'large frictional areas, together with quick and easy release.

Another object of the invention is vto provide a friction ,shock absorbing mechanism of vthe intercalated ,plate type, ,including spread- -ing means and a plurality of sets of opposed friction elementscoacting with the spreading means, together with means for forcing the opposed elements of each set laterally'toward each other as the sets are spaced apart, therevby placing the friction plates under lateral pressure.

Still. another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the character indicated wherein a preliminary action of thefollower means during compression prior to engagement and movement of the plates by the follower means is obtained and then a relative movement of the friction plates after the full wedg'ing action has been set up.

'Other objects and advantages will more clearly and fully appear from the description and claims `hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a horizontal. longitudinal, sectional view of a portion of afrailway draft-rigging, showing my improvements in connectiontherewith. Figure 2 is a front end elevational view of the shock absorbing mechanism proper. Figure 3is atransverse, vertical. sectional View of the shock absorbing mechanism proper, corresponding substantially to the line 3 3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a detail, perspective view, broken away, of the front end portion of one ofthe frictionelements used in connection with my improved mechanism. And Figure 5 is a view similar'to Ii`igure'3.l illustratinga different embodiment of the invention.

In said drawings, referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated kin 4Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, 10-*10 indicate channelshaped center or draft sills of a railway car underframe, to the inner faces of which are secured front stop lugs 11--11 and rear stop lugs 12-12. A portion of the drawbar is shown at 13, to which is operatively connected a yoke 14 of well known form. The shock absorbing lmechanism proper, including the Renewed December `20, 1928.

front follower 15, isdisposed within the yoke 14, and the movable parts Aof the draft ri ging are supported by a detachable saddie vplate 16.

The improved shock absorbing mechanism proper,as shown vin Figures 1 ito 4 inclusive, comprises, broadly a follower-acting friction shell A; `four friction Aelements B-B; ttwo groups of friction plates C--Cg a wedgebloe'k D; a pair of friction shoes E-lEg a spring resistance F; 'a spring followerG; land a. .reytainer bolt H.

'.1`rhe friction-casing A is of substantially octagonal form, having spaced, horizontallydisposed top and bottom walls 17-17, spaced, vertically disposed side walls I18--18,inc`lined -connecting walls -19-119 and a transverse end wall 20, asclearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, the end wall 20 extends beyond the inclined walls 19 and/coacts with the rear stop lugs 12 -in the rmanner ofl a `follower. The inclined walls `19 present longitudinally disposed, interior, opposed friction surfaces 21 arranged in pairs yat opposite sides of the mechanism,

vthe surfaces 21-of each pair diverging laterally toward the center of the mechanism. -On the inner side, the .wall 20 is provided with a hollow Aprojection 22 extending lfrom the 'top -to the lfbottom -Wallo'fthe casing and'lspaced equally from the opposite sides of the same. At'the inner-end the'projection 22 isprovided at the opposite sides thereof with forwardly converging wedge faces 23-23,1the yportion -22 forming in effect a wedge member integral with the casing A. y

The friction elements B are four lin number and are arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the mechanism, as clearly shown --in Figures 1, 2, and 3. -As shown fin `Figs. -1 to'4 inclusive, lthe 'elements B are of like construction, each being in the form of in-elongated Vbar of generally triangular cross-section having a longitudinally' disposed, outerfat friction surface 121 correspondingly'laterally inclined to and adapted to cooperate with one of the faces y21 ofthe shell A. On ftheinner side, that is, `the side nearest the axis of the mechanism, each element B presents alongitudinally extending, vertical friction surface 133, adapted to cooperate with oneofthe riction shoes E. At the forward end each-element B iis provided with an enlargement 24 laterally projecting therefrom (see Fig. 4). The enlargement `24 has -an outer wedge Vface 25 adapted to cooperate with the AWedge D.

.spaced a suiicient distance from the inner surfaceof the transverse end wall of the shell A to permit the full compression stroke of the mechanism by the time the elements B come into actual engagement with said end wall of the shell.

The friction plates C comprise two groups arranged at opposite sides of the mechanism,

each group preferably lconsisting of three plates, two outer similar plates 27-27 and an intermediate plate 28. The plates 28 are pro- .-vided with lateral extensions 29 at their front ends serving as lugs which are adapted to cooperate with the outer face of the spring follower Gr to effect restoration of these parts to normalposition. The plates are cut away on their inner faces adjacent the outer ends thereof as indicatedat 30 to provide proper clearance between the same and the wedge block D. vThe Aplates 27 of each group are provided with a lateral extension 31 at the rear end. thereof providing a lug adapted to cooperate with the corresponding friction wedgev shoerE to effect restoration of the plates `to'normal position. As clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, the three plates-27, 27 and 28, comprising each group, are interposed between lthe corresponding friction elements B at the same side of the mechanism, and are adapted to be placed under lateral pressure by the latter when the samev are forced to ap- Vproach each other.

1 The wedge block D is provided with a transverse outer face 32 adapted to abut the front .follower 15 and a pair of inwardly converg- Y ing wedge faces 125l at the opposite sides thereof correspondingly inclined to and adapted to cooperate-with the wedge faces 25 of the two sets of friction elements B.

The friction wedge shoes E are two in number, and are disposed at the rear end of the 'mechanisnn being interposed between the sets of friction elements at the opposite sides of` the mechanism and the wedge member 22. The two shoes E are of like construction, each Vhaving a flat outer side face 33 adapted to cooperate with the friction surface 133 of the vtwo members B at the saine side of the mechanism. Each shoe E is also provided on the side nearest the axis of the mechanism with a wedge face 123 correspondingly inclined to e and adapted to cooperate with one of the 1 Wedge faces 23 of the wedge 22.

'I he springresistance element F is interposed between the spring follower Gr and the friction wedge shoes E, the same comprising an inner relatively light coil and an outer relatively heavy coil. In order to hold the springs properly centered the shell A is provided with interior, longitudinally disposed top and bottom ribs 34. The parts of the mechanism are held in assembled relation under initial compression by the retainer bolt H which has its opposite ends anchored respectively to the rear wedge member 22 and the front wedge block D, the shank of the bolt extending through the inner coil of the spring resistance and aligned openings provided in the spring follower G, and wedges D and It will be evident that t-he relative position of the plates C and the springs F is such that lateral shifting of any of these parts is practically prevented, except to a very limited extent.

In the normal position of the parts, the front ends of the plates 28 are normally slightly spaced from the front follower 15 and the rear ends of the plates 27 are spaced from the inner surface of the wall 20 in the casing A a. distance substantially equal to t-he spacing of the plates 28 from the front follower. As clearly shown in Figure 1, the front ends of the plates 27 and the rear ends of the plates 28 are spaced a suiiicient distance from the front follower and the transverse wall 2O of the vcasing A respectively to permit the full compression stroke of the mechanism. The parts are so proportioned that when the front follower comes intov abutment with the outer yend of the casing A, the three plates of each group will also be brought into abutment with the end wall of the casing, the plates together with the casing acting as a substantially solid stop-column adapted to transmit the actuating pressure directly to the stop lugs of the draft sills.

The operation `of the improved shock absorbing mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 to 4l, inclusive, is as follows, assuming a compression stroke of the mechanism and an inward movement of the drawbar. Upon inward movement of the drawbar the front follower 15 will be carried inwardly, forcingl the wedge block D rearwardly also, setting up a lateral wedging or spreading action between thelatter and the friction elements B at the opposite sides of the mechanism. This lateral spreadingaction of the opposed friction elements at the top and bottom of the mechanism causes these elements to be wedged toward the horizontal center plane of the mechanism through the act-ion of the inclined faces 21 of the shell, thereby placing the friction plates C under pressure. The actuating force will be transmitted to the shoes E` at the rear end of the mechanism through the medium of the spring F, thereby sett-ing up a wedging action between the shoes and the wedge 22, to force the shoes into frictional engagement with the rear ends of the memlll) bers "B, at the same time laterally spreading -ued inward movement of the front follower, :the elements B will 'be foi'ced inwardly `of the shell by .the wedge member D, sliding longitudinally on the friction surfaces 21 of lthe shell and on the friction surfaces 33 of the shoes E. It will be evident that the spring follower G will .be cai'ried rearwardly with the elements AB by engagement. with the shoulders 26 thereof, causing the follower to move a-way `from the lugs 29 of the friction plates The inward movementof the parts as hereinbefore described, will continue until the -frontends of the plates 28 are engaged by the follower V15, whereupon these plates will 'be picked up andmoved longitudinally relatively to the plates 17. It will be evident that during the preliminary action of the mechanism liereinbefore described, the two groups of plates will be carried rearwardly with :the elements B due to the frictional engagement therebetween, until the rear ends of the plates 27 come into abutment with the end wall20 ofthe casing, whereupon the two groups Vof ,plates will i'eiiiain substantially stationary while the meiiiber-s B slip thereon. The plates are thus held stationary until i'elative niovement-of vthe plates 27 and 28 is effected by the front follower engaging t-lie fi'oiit ends of the plates 28 as liereinbefore pointedfout. During the bodily inward move- -ment'of the groups of plates and the elements B, the lugs 31 of the plates 27 will be moved out of engagement with the rear ends of the shoes E. vThe compression stroke continues in the vmanner hereinbefore described, either until the actuating force is reduced or luntil the front follower 15 engages the front end of the friction shell A whereupon the actuating rforce will be transmitted directly through the vshell and the friction plates as hereinbefore described, these elements acting in the manner of a solid column.

lVhen the actuating pressure is relieved, the wedge pressure is instantly reduced, due to the wedge member dropping away from the friction shoes and friction elements, permitting the spring to expand and force the elements B and shoes E outwardly. After the wet ging pressure on the plates has been reduced, further outward movement of the spring follower G away from the shoes E will effect restoration of the friction plates to normal position, the plates 28 being forced forwardly `by engagement with the spring follower and the plates 27 being carried forward by frictional contact with the plates 28 until the lugs 31 of the plates 27 come into engage- Ynient with the rear ends of the shoes E, whereupon movement of the plates 27 will be arrested. It will be evident that the restoring action ofthe yplates is not effected until the wedging y.pressure has Ibeen effectively Vreduced, asthe .wedgezmember and the elements iBare forced out-wardly prior to any engagement of the spring follower-G with the plates,

due to the spacing of the follower Afrom the lugs 29 of the `plates 28 during the compression-stroke of the mechanism. During draft, the action is substantiallythe same as that described with tlie exception that the friction shell A is moved forwardly rtoward -the follower 15 when the llatter is held stationary by engagement with the front stop lugs. As wear occurs on the various friction and wedge surfaces, compensation therefor will be had by 4the expansion of the spring resistance F,

which as liereinbefore described is under initial compression, the latter gradually forcing the friction shoes E and elements B apart longitudinally sufficient clearance being provide'dfto ypeiniit of this action.

Referring next to the construction illus- -trated in Figure 5, the improved shock absorbing mechanism, as shown, issubstantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, with tlie exception thatthe friction pla-tes are of wedge shape in cross section, having their coacting faces radially disposed and that the coacting faces 0f the friction elements ai'e correspondingly disposed and rthat the friction shell is provided `with additional interior friction surfaces with which the-outer edges of the friction plates cooperate. As shown in Figure 5, a friction shell of substantially octagonal Aform similar to the shell A is provided, the same being indicated by A. Four friction elements B are provided, eachof which is, in all respects, similar 'to the friction elements B hereinbefore described. Interposed between the friction elements Biof each set, are three friction plates 127-127, and 128 each being of wedge shape in cross section Vand Vhaving their coacting faces radiallydisposed with reference to the longitudinal axis vof the mechanism. The outer edges of the plates 127 and 128 cooperate with the inner surfaces of the side walls 118 of the casing, `the inner surfaces of said side walls 18 being curved as shown and presenting interior `friction surfaces 134. adapted to cooperate with similarly curved faces on the outer-edges of the friction plates 127 and 128.

The operation of theniechanisni illustrated in Figure '5 Vis substantially the same as that rying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative, and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within 'the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

l. In a friction shock absorbingl mechanism, the combination with a friction shell having interior wedge surfaces converging outwardly laterally of the mechanism; of a plurality of friction wedge elements cooperating with said shell surfaces; spreading means co-operating with said elements. for forcing the same outwardlyof said wedge surfaces; a main spring resistance opposing movement of said friction elements; and intercalated, relatively movable, longitudinally disposed friction plates interposed between said elements.

2. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a pluralit-y of friction elements; of lat-erally acting spreading means for said elements for forcing said elements laterally outwardly; a friction member having faces inclined to the direction of the effective-outward spreading forces of said means and co-operating with said elements to displace the same toward each other; a plurality of intercalated` relatively movable friction plates interposed between said elements, follower means for effecting movement of said plates and a main spring resistance opposing movement of said elements.

3. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction shell having interior wedge faces converging laterally of the mechanism; of a plurality of longitudinally disposed friction elements each having a wedge face correspondingly inclined to and co-operating with one of said shell faces; spreading means for forcing said elements transversely of said shell wedge faces; a main spring resistance opposing` movement of said friction elements; and intercalated, relatively movable, longitudinally disposed, friction plates interposed between said elements.

4. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combinationcwith a plurality of longitudinally disposed, elongated friction elements of laterally acting spreading means for said elements; a friction member having opposed converging faces inclined to the direction of the effective spreading forces ofk said means and co-operating with said elements to displace the same laterally toward each other; a plurality of longitudinally disposed, intercalated, relatively movable friction plates interposed between said elements; and spring resistance means opposing movement of said friction elements.

5. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction shell having opposed sets of longitudinally disposed, friction surfaces laterally diverging toward the aXis of the mechanism; of opposed, longitudinallydisposed friction elements co-operating with said shell friction surfaces; wedge means co-operating with said elements; a main spring resistance; and a plurality of relatively movable, longitudinally disposed, intercalated friction plates between the vopposed elements.

6. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction shell having a plurality of opposed sets of friction surfaces laterally diverging toward the axis of the mechanism; of a plurality of sets of opposed, longitudinally arranged friction elements co-operating with the shell friction surfaces; a group of relatively movable, intercalated friction plates interposed between the elements of each set of elements; wedging means disposed between said sets of elements and co-operating therewith; and a main spring resistance.

7'. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction shell having two opposed sets of friction surfaces laterally diverging toward the axis ofthe mechanism; of a main spring resist-ance; wedge spreading means; two sets of friction elements co-operating with said wedge spreading means, said sets being disposed on opposite sides of said means, each element cooperating with one of said shell friction surfaces; and a plurality of longitudinally disposed, intercalated friction plates, said plates being divided into two groups disposed on opposite sides of the mechanism and each group being interposed between the elements of one of said sets. Y

8. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction shell having interior wedge surfaces converging laterally of the mechanism; of a plurality of friction wedge elements having wedge faces correspondingly inclined to and co-operating with said shell surfaces; laterally acting spreading meanscooperating with said elements for forcing the same outwardly, a main spring resistance opposing movementof said wedge ele-ments; intercalated, relatively movable, longitudinally disposed friction plates interposed betweenV said elements; and means for restorinO said elements and plates to normal position.

9. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a plurality of elongated friction elements having longitudinally disposed friction surfaces; a plurality of friction shoes co-opcrating with said friction surfaces; wedge spreading means for said shoes and elements; a friction member having` faces inclined to the direction of the effective spreading force of said means Y and co-operating with said elements to displace the same laterally toward each other; a plurality of relatively movable, intercalated, friction plates interposed between said elements; and a main spring resistance.

l0. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a plurality of elongated friction elements having longitudinally disposed friction surfaces, each element having a wedge face on one end thereof; of a plurality of friction shoes co-operating with said friction surfaces; wedge spreading means for said shoes and elements, said means including wedge members co-operating respectively with said shoes and the wedge faces of said element-s; a friction member having faces inclined to the direction of the effective spreading force of said means and co-operating with said elements to displace the same laterally toward each other; a plurality of relatively movable, intercalated friction plates interposed between said elements; and a main spring resistance.

ll. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a plurality of elongated friction elements having longitudinally disposed friction surfaces, each element having a wedge face on one end thereof; of a plurality of friction shoes co-operating with said friction surfaces; wedge spreading means for said shoes and elements, said means including Wedge members co-operating respectively with said shoes and the wedge faces of said elements; a friction member having faces inclined to the direction of the effective spreading force of said means and co-operating with said elements to displace the same laterally toward each other; a plurality of relatively movable, intercalated friction plates interposed between said elements; a main spring resistance; and means for restoring said plates and elements to normal position, said last named means including abutment members on certain of said plates cooperating with said shoes.

l2. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a plurality of elongated friction elements having longitudinally disposed friction surfaces, each element having a Wedge face on one end thereof; of a plurality of friction shoes co-operating with said friction surfaces; wedge spreading means for said shoes and elements, said .means including wedge members co-operating respectively with said shoes and the wedge faces of said elements; a friction member having faces inclined to the direction of the effective spreading force of said means and co-operating with said elements to displace the same laterally toward each other; a plurality of relatively movable, intercalated, friction plates interposed between said elements; a main spring resistance; and means for restoring said elements and plates to normal position, said last named means including abutments on said elements and certain of said plates co-operating with the spring resistance and abutment means on the remaining plates co-operating with said shoes.

13. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a main follower; of a follower-acting friction shell havin a transverse end wall and lon itudinally isposed, interior friction sur aces diverging laterally toward the axis of the mechanism; a plurality of longitudinally disposedfriction elements co-operating with said shell friction surfaces; spreading means co-operating with said elements; a main spri resistance; and a plurality of intercalate longitudinally disposed friction plates interposed between said elements, said plates being normally spaced from said follower and end wall to provide for preliminary action of the mechanism during the compression stroke.

14. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a main follower; of a follower-acting friction shell having interior friction surfaces diverging laterally t0- ward the. axis of the mechanism; a plurality of longitudinally disposed friction elements co-operating with said shell friction surfaces, said elements each having a wedge face at one end thereof; a plurality of friction shoes cooperating with said elements; a wedge pressure transmitting means co-operating with said follower and engaging the wedge faces of said elements; a wedge member movable with the shell and co-operating with said shoes; a main spring resistance; and a plurality of longitudinally disposed, relatively movable, intercalated friction plates interposed between said elements.

15. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a plurality of sets of intercalated, relatively longitudinally movable friction plates; of a air of elongated friction eleinents co-opera le with each set of friction plates, said elements being arranged on opposite sides of the corresponding set of plates; a friction member; wedge-acting means at the ends of and co-operating with said elongated friction elements for effecting frictional engagement between said elements and said friction member, said friction member and said each pair of elements having co-operating, longitudinally extending friction surfaces arranged in laterally converging sets, effecting when said elements are acted upon by said means, wedging toward each other of said elements to compress the corresponding set of friction plates; and spring means associated with said wed ing means, friction elements and plates for e ecting restoration of the parts to normal position upon removal of the actuatin force.

16. In a friction shock absorbmg mechanism, the combination with a plurality of sets of intercalated, relatively longitudinally movable friction plates; of a palr of elongated friction elements co-operatin with each set of friction plates and dispose on the opposite sides of the corresponding set of plates; wedging means at the opposite ends of said elongated friction elements effective to eXert pressure 'on said elements laterally ina plane perpendicular to the line of applied force; means having longitudinally extending friction surfaces (3o-operating With corresponding frietional surfaces on said elements, said oo-operating sets of longitudinally eX- tending friction surfaces loeing so arranged as to exert a Wedging action on each pair of said elements upon the application of a compressing force to Vsaid first named Wedge 10 hereunto subscribed my name this 10th day of 15 September` 1924.

STACY B. HASELTINE. 

